Automated LA-DBD-TLC-MS device for accurate detection of biogenic amines in fishery products coupled with machine learning algorithms

A novel, compact, and automated laser ablation dielectric barrier discharge thin layer chromatography-mass spectrometry (LA-DBD-TLC-MS) device was developed for the rapid detection of biogenic amines (BAs) in fishery products. This plug-and-play system integrates thermal desorption via diode laser, DBD plasma ionization, and tandem MS detection, with key operational parameters optimized through experimental and computational methods. Utilizing nanoscale carbon black as a matrix, the device achieved a detection limit of 0.230 pg/mm². It demonstrated comparable efficacy to HPLC-MS/MS in screening six BAs and enabled species discrimination and spoilage assessment in fish with machine learning algorithms (PCA, RF, SVM, MLP), yielding high accuracies. A multi-linear regression model predicted salmon spoilage with a strong correlation (R² = 0.974). This study confirms the LA-DBD-TLC-MS device as a reliable, precise, and high throughput tool for rapid BA analysis in fishery products, with potential for direct trace analysis of organic compounds in food matrices.